Game Notes

Minnesota Lynx (12-4) vs Los Angeles Sparks (3-13)

July 29, 2015, 7:00 p.m. (CT)

TV: FOX Sports North, NBA TV, WNBA LiveAccess

Radio: BOB FM 106.1

Game #17, Home Game #9

The Lynx enter tonight’s game vs. the Los Angeles Sparks having won 12 of the past 18 meetings overall after winning just nine times in the first 43 contests. The teams square off three times over the next 12 nights to round out the season series. Minnesota currently leads the season series 1-0 with its 67-52 decision at Los Angeles on June 16.

On Monday, Minnesota picked up center Sylvia Fowles, along with a second-round choice in the 2016 WNBA Draft, from Chicago in a three-team trade that sent forward Damiris Dantas, forward Reshanda Gray and the Lynx’ first-round pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft to Atlanta. Fowles, an LSU alum selected by the Sky in the 1st round (2nd overall) of the 2008 WNBA Draft, is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2013), four-time All-WNBA choice (2010-2013) and three-time All-Star (2009, 2011, 2013). In seven seasons with Chicago, she averaged 15.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.02 blocks over 186 games, shooting 58.5% from the field and 71.9% from the FT line.

Connecticut ended Minnesota’s season-high four-game winning streak with last Wednesday’s 78-77 overtime decision. The loss was only the 10th for Minnesota at Target Center since the start of 2011 (76 games). The last time the Lynx lost back-to-back home games was Aug. 8-16, 2013 when they lost three straight, two at home.

In their last meeting vs. Los Angeles, the Lynx shot 52.6% from the floor, including 69.0% (20-for-29) in the second half. Minnesota has shot 50%+ from the floor a league-leading six times this season and is 51-3 when holding its opponent under 70 points, including having won 68 of its past 69 when keeping its opponent below 40%. The Lynx enter tonight’s game ranked second in the WNBA in field goal percentage (45.6%) and offensive efficiency (102.0).

Minnesota held the Sparks to 39.3% (24-for-61) from the floor and just 52 points in the June 16 win at Los Angeles. The 52 points marks the Sparks lowest point total ever against the Lynx. The Lynx have held five opponents below 60 points this season, marking its top single-season total in that category since 2005 (none last year, three in 2013). The Lynx lead the WNBA in scoring defense (69.5 ppg) and defensive efficiency (90.4), while ranking second in defensive field goal percentage (39.6%).

Minnesota dished out a season-high 25 assists at Los Angeles on June 16, running its winning streak to 20 games when handing out 25+ assists. They are 26-2 all-time in that category (8-0 on the road), with both losses coming to Phoenix (July 25, 2007 and July 24, 2010). Whalen led the team with seven assists.

The Sparks have yet to win a game on the road this season, entering tonight’s contest with a 0-7 road record. At home, Los Angeles is averaging 71.6 points per game and allowing 74.8 points per game but on the road the team is averaging just 68.3 points per game and allowing 78.4 points per game.

Candace Parker is set to make her 2015 WNBA season debut tonight. Last season Parker led the team, averaging 19.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 30 games played. She scored six double-doubles last season with two of them coming against Minnesota (24 pts, 11 rebs – 6/8/14; 16 pts, 11 rebs – 8/12/14). Overall, Parker averaged 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists through four games played in 2014 against the Minnesota Lynx.

Rebekkah Brunson posted 14 points and 15 rebounds in the July 22 loss vs. Connecticut, marking her 74th career double-double to move her within one of Chamique Holdsclaw for eighth all-time. Brunson overtook DeLisha Milton-Jones for fifth place on the WNBA’s career rebounding list June 27 vs. Phoenix. She enters tonight’s game averaging 10.1 points (48.8%) and 9.2 rebounds per game.

Lynx forward Maya Moore was named Most Valuable Player of the 2015 WNBA All-Star Game presented by Boost Mobile on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena after helping the West notch a 117-112 victory. Moore poured in an All-Star Game record 30 points, including shooting 6-for-10 from three-point range and added six rebounds and five assists while playing 20 minutes. Moore enters tonight’s game netting 25.6 points (47.8%), 8.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in her last eight games.

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